Myelopathy

Myelopathy is a medical condition caused by excessive pressure being placed on the spinal cord. This condition often occurs in the neck and is caused by generalized degenerative changes (arthritis) and/or herniated discs. Early myelopathy manifests itself as difficulty with fine motor tasks, such as using keys and picking up objects, and in motor changes that affect the way a patient walks. As myelopathy worsens, many patients experience numbness and tingling and loose strength in their upper and lower extremities. In its most severe form, patients become wheelchair bound. The treatment for this condition is surgical decompression. This means that the structures squeezing the spinal cord are removed. Although surgery usually results in a cure, often, the lost strength is not fully restored.